The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into an incident aboard a British Airways flight to Las Vegas after a passenger’s cellphone caught fire moments before landing, scorching the cabin interior.
British Airways Flight 271, en route from London’s Heathrow Airport to Harry Reid International Airport, experienced the blaze on Monday. The pilot reported in air traffic control audio that the phone fire had “scorched” the inside of the cabin but stressed that the situation was under control and did not jeopardize the landing.
“The fire is contained, and we are proceeding as normal,” the pilot communicated to controllers, according to recordings reviewed by The World Signal.
Harry Reid International Airport confirmed that the pilot issued an alert to ground crews, though a British Airways spokesperson said the aircraft arrived on schedule and did not declare an official emergency. The airline declined to provide further details about the passenger or the device involved, citing the ongoing investigation.
This incident adds to a growing list of in-flight battery-related fires that have raised concerns among aviation regulators. In recent years, the FAA has recorded hundreds of thermal runaway events involving lithium-ion batteries on aircraft, often triggered by damaged or counterfeit devices.
The incident also echoes a recent case where a Delta passenger was indicted on a federal charge after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant, highlighting the broader challenges airlines face in maintaining cabin safety.
British Airways has not confirmed whether the phone was a specific brand or model, but the FAA’s investigation will likely focus on the battery’s compliance with safety standards. The agency has previously urged passengers to keep devices in carry-on luggage and report any overheating immediately.
“Passengers should never attempt to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire themselves—alert crew members, who are trained to handle these incidents,” said a former FAA safety inspector who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The flight’s safe arrival in Las Vegas avoided any injuries or further damage, but the episode underscores the persistent risk posed by personal electronics in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin. As regulators scrutinize the incident, travelers are reminded to follow airline guidelines for battery-powered devices.
